U.S. patent application number 10/661544 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for cleaning attachment for fluid dispenser nozzles and fluid dispensers using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Aafedt, Ryan, Gowens, Patrick A..
Application Number | 20050056707 10/661544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34273886 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050056707 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gowens, Patrick A. ; et
al. |
March 17, 2005 |
Cleaning attachment for fluid dispenser nozzles and fluid
dispensers using same
Abstract
A nozzle attachment for removing residual material retained on
the dispensing nozzle of a fluid dispenser, having a retainer
adapted to releasably attach the nozzle attachment to a dispensing
nozzle, and a pair of hollow-bodied nozzle attachment components
that define, when nested together, an intervening space useful as a
gas passageway for pressurized gaseous fluid introduced and
directed to a discharge opening at a lower axial end of the nested
nozzle attachment components. The gas passageway is adapted to emit
gas introduced into the gas passageway as a gas stream in a manner
effective to remove residual material clinging to the nozzle.
Dispensers using the nozzle attachment are presented, including one
using a truncated valve head.
Inventors: |
Gowens, Patrick A.;
(Libertyville, IL) ; Aafedt, Ryan; (Idaho Falls,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
Suite 1600
120 South LaSalle Street
Chicago
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Assignee: |
Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
Northfield
IL
|
Family ID: |
34273886 |
Appl. No.: |
10/661544 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 11/386 20130101;
F23G 5/446 20130101; B67C 3/001 20130101; B65B 2210/08 20130101;
B05B 15/55 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/112 |
International
Class: |
B05B 015/02; F23D
011/34 |
Claims
1: A nozzle attachment for removing residual material from the
discharge end of a nozzle and for quick attachment and detachment
from the nozzle, the attachment comprising: an attachment assembly
of components being separable for cleaning; an internal gas
passageway in the attachment assembly between adjacent assembled
components thereof and having an inlet to receive an incoming gas
stream; a discharge end on the attachment assembly to emit a gas
stream from the internal gas passageway in a direction angled
inwardly and downwardly relative to the discharge end of the nozzle
to remove residual material from the nozzle; and a manual quick
release connection operable manually without the use of a tool to
connect and disconnect the nozzle attachment from the nozzle.
2: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
assembly of parts comprises: separable nested components defining
the gas passageway being axially separable from one another without
the use of a tool and completely dismantleable for inspection and
cleaning of each nested component.
3: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
manual quick release connection comprises a clamping retainer for
clamping onto the nozzle.
4: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 3, wherein the
clamping retainer comprises a split ring and manual operable
threaded members to tighten the split ring about the nozzle.
5: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 4, wherein the
manual operable threaded members comprise wing nuts.
6: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 3, wherein the
clamping retainer onto a clamp attaching portion on the nozzle.
7: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
clamping retainer is provided with substantially annular surfaces
for cooperating with the annular clamp attaching portion on the
dispensing nozzle.
8: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a quick connect and disconnect device for detachable
connecting an air inlet line to the nozzle attachment.
9: A nozzle attachment for attachment to a dispensing nozzle to
deliver a discharge gas stream across a face of a discharge nozzle
to remove residual material therefrom comprising: a retainer on the
nozzle attachment for releasably attaching to a nozzle; an outer
nozzle component in the attachment device; an inner nozzle
component nested in the outer nozzle component and cooperating
therewith to define a gas passageway therebetween; the inner and
outer nozzle components being mounted by the retainer on the nozzle
and being axially separable from one another for cleaning of the
inner and outer nozzle components; and inclined, spaced discharge
surfaces at discharge ends of the nested inner and outer components
to direct inclined inwardly and downwardly to create a discharging
gas and a shearing force on the residue at the discharge end of the
nozzle to remove residual material from the nozzle.
10: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 9, wherein the
retainer comprises: a clamp for clamping for detachably connecting
the nozzle attachment to the nozzle.
11: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 9, wherein the
inner nozzle component is nested within the outer component and
separable in an axial direction therefrom for cleaning.
12: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 9, wherein the
retainer having a quick connect and disconnect device for
detachably attaching the nozzle attachment to the nozzle to
facilitate attachment and removal of the nozzle attachment for
cleaning.
13: A nozzle attachment in accordance with claim 12, further
comprising: a quick connect and disconnect device for detachably
connecting an air inlet line to the nozzle attachment.
14: A method of providing and cleaning a nozzle attachment for
removing residual material from a dispensing nozzle comprising:
providing a nozzle attachment having an air inlet to receive
pressurized air, an internal gas passageway for gas to flow through
the nozzle attachment and a discharge for discharging gas to create
shear forces to remove residual material from the nozzle;
encircling the nozzle with a clamping device on the nozzle
attachment device; manually operating a quick connect and
disconnect device to attach the nozzle attachment to the nozzle;
dispensing material through the nozzle and flowing gas through the
gas internal passageways and discharging gas to create the shear
forces to remove residual material from the nozzle; and manually
operating the quick connect and disconnect to detach the nozzle
attachment from the nozzle for cleaning.
15: A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:
separating nested inner and outer components of the nozzle
attachment in an axial direction without the use of a tool for
cleaning of the components.
16. (canceled)
17: A nozzle attachment for removing residual material retained on
the dispensing nozzle of a fluid dispenser, comprising (a) a
retainer adapted to releasably attach the nozzle attachment to a
dispensing nozzle, and (b) a pair of annular nozzle attachment
components that define, when nested together, an intervening space
operable as a gas passageway into which pressurized gaseous fluid
can be introduced and directed to a discharge opening provided at a
lower axial end of the nested nozzle attachment components, wherein
the gas passageway is adapted to emit gas introduced into the gas
passageway as a gas stream in a direction angled inwardly and
downwardly relative to a discharge end of the dispensing nozzle
effective to create a shearing force at the discharge end of the
nozzle that dislodges and blows off any residual material clinging
to the discharge end after a prior dispensing operation or
cycle.
18: The nozzle attachment according to claim 17, wherein the pair
of annular nozzle attachment components comprise: i) an outer
nozzle attachment component comprising a first hollow-bodied
portion having an inner surface with an inner diameter, and a
flanged surface at one axial end thereof and an inward-facing
beveled surface at the other axial end thereof, and further
including a gas inlet adapted to receive pressurized gas through
the first hollow-bodied portion; ii) an inner nozzle attachment
component including a second hollow-bodied portion having an outer
surface with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner
diameter of the outer nozzle attachment component, and a collar
extending radially outward at one axial end and an outward-facing
beveled surface at the other axial end thereof, wherein the inner
nozzle attachment component being adapted to be nested within the
outer nozzle attachment component by positioning of the collar of
the inner nozzle attachment component on the flanged surface of the
outer nozzle attachment component effective to define an upper gas
passageway between the outer surface of the inner nozzle attachment
component and the inner surface of the outer nozzle attachment
component that is in communication with the gas inlet of the outer
nozzle attachment component, and to define a lower gas passageway
including a discharge opening between the outward-facing beveled
surface of the inner nozzle attachment component and the
inward-facing beveled surface of the outer nozzle attachment
component wherein the lower gas passageway is in fluid
communication with the upper gas passageway and is adapted to emit
gas introduced into the nozzle attachment at an inward and downward
angle relative to the discharge end of the nozzle to create a
shearing force at the discharge end of the nozzle; and wherein the
retainer is adapted to releasably retain the outer nozzle
attachment component while the inner nozzle attachment component is
nested therein, and concurrently provide releasable mechanical
connectivity to the nozzle.
19: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, wherein the first
hollow-bodied portion is a first cylindrical portion, and the
second hollow-bodied portion is a second cylindrical portion.
20: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, wherein the outer
nozzle attachment component comprises an upper flanged surface
adapted to be sealingly engaged and held to a surface of the
retainer.
21: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, further comprising
a ferrule releasably attachable to the gas inlet of the outer
nozzle attachment component adapted to provide fluid communication
between the gas inlet and an external source of pressurized
fluid.
22: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, wherein the
outward-facing beveled surface of the inner nozzle attachment
component and the inward-facing beveled surface of the outer nozzle
attachment component are inclined at an absolute angle value of
greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
23: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, wherein the
outward-facing beveled surface of the inner nozzle attachment
component and the inward-facing beveled surface of the outer nozzle
attachment component are inclined at an absolute angle value of
about 125 to about 160 degrees.
24: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, wherein the
retainer comprises a clamp including a wing nut operable to tighten
or loosen the connection to a valve nozzle.
25: The nozzle attachment according to claim 18, wherein the
discharge opening comprises a substantially continuous ringed
opening adapted to encircle the nozzle.
26: A fluid dispenser for use in intermittent dispensing
operations, comprising: a dispenser body including a fluid inlet
communicating with a fluid passageway; a discharge nozzle having a
discharge end from which fluid is dispensed; a valve stem
positioned within the fluid passageway adapted to be controllably
moved vertically up and down within the fluid passageway by an
actuator; a valve head located in the discharge end of the
discharge nozzle, wherein the valve head is positionable in a
sealing relationship with interior walls of the fluid passageway in
the discharge end of the nozzle during non-dispensing operational
times, and adapted to be moved vertically downward by the valve
stem out of sealing relationship with the fluid passageway in the
discharge nozzle during dispensing operational times such that
fluid fed into fluid passageway can pass by the valve head and exit
from the discharge end of the nozzle; a nozzle attachment attached
to the nozzle, comprising (a) a retainer adapted to releasably
attach the nozzle attachment to a dispensing nozzle, and (b) a pair
of hollow-bodied nozzle attachment components that define, when
nested together, an intervening space operable as a gas passageway
into which pressurized gaseous fluid can be introduced and directed
to a discharge opening provided at a lower axial end of the nested
nozzle attachment components, wherein the gas passageway is adapted
to emit gas introduced into the gas passageway as a gas stream in a
direction angled inwardly and downwardly relative to a discharge
end of the dispensing nozzle effective to create a shearing force
at the discharge end of the nozzle that dislodges and blows off any
residual material clinging to the discharge end after a prior
dispensing operation or cycle.
27 (currently amended): The fluid dispenser according to claim 26,
wherein the pair of nozzle attachment components comprise: (a) an
outer nozzle attachment component comprising a first hollow-bodied
portion having an inner surface with an inner diameter, and a
flanged surface at one axial end thereof and an inward-facing
beveled surface at the other axial end thereof, and further
including a gas inlet adapted to receive pressurized gas through
the annulus portion; (b) an inner nozzle attachment component
including a second hollow-bodied portion having an outer surface
with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of
the outer nozzle attachment component, and a collar extending
radially outward at one axial end and an outward-facing beveled
surface at the other axial end thereof, wherein the inner nozzle
attachment component being adapted to be nested within the outer
nozzle attachment component by positioning of the collar of the
inner nozzle attachment component on the flanged surface of the
outer nozzle attachment component effective to define an upper gas
passageway between the outer surface of the inner nozzle attachment
component and the inner surface of the outer nozzle attachment
component that is in communication with the gas inlet of the outer
nozzle attachment component, and to define a lower gas passageway
including a discharge opening between the outward-facing beveled
surface of the inner nozzle attachment component and the
inward-facing beveled surface of the outer nozzle attachment
component wherein the lower gas passageway is in fluid
communication with the upper gas passageway and is adapted to emit
gas introduced into the nozzle attachment at an inward and downward
angle to create a shearing force at the discharge end of the
nozzle; and wherein the retainer is adapted to releasably hold the
outer nozzle attachment component while the inner nozzle attachment
component is nested therein, and concurrently provide releasable
mechanical connectivity to the nozzle.
28: The fluid dispenser according to claim 27, wherein the valve
head has a truncated cone shape having increasing diameter nearer
the discharge end of the nozzle and smaller diameter further from
the discharge end of the nozzle, wherein the valve head has a first
diameter adapted to seal with the passageway to stop fluid flow out
of the discharge end of the nozzle when the valve stem is
sufficiently upraised, and a second diameter, smaller than the
first diameter, in which a gap is provided between the second
diameter and passageway when the valve stem is sufficiently lowered
to permit flow of fluid.
29: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the first
hollow-bodied portion is a first cylindrical portion, and the
second hollow-bodied portion is a second cylindrical portion.
30: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the outer
nozzle attachment component comprises an upper flanged surface
adapted to be sealingly engaged and held to a surface of the
retainer.
31: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, further comprising a
ferrule releasably attachable to the gas inlet of the outer nozzle
attachment component adapted to provide fluid communication between
the gas inlet and an external source of pressurized fluid.
32: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the
outward-facing beveled surface of the inner nozzle attachment
component and the inward-facing beveled surface of the outer nozzle
attachment component are inclined at an absolute angle value of
greater 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
33: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the
outward-facing beveled surface of the inner nozzle attachment
component and the inward-facing beveled surface of the outer nozzle
attachment component are inclined at an absolute angle value of
about 125 to about 160 degrees.
34: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the retainer
comprises a clamp including a wing nut operable to tighten or
loosen the connection to a valve nozzle.
35: The fluid dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the
discharge opening comprises a substantially continuous ringed
opening adapted to encircle the nozzle.
36: A fluid dispenser for use in intermittent dispensing
operations, comprising: a dispenser body including a fluid inlet
communicating with a fluid passageway, and a discharge nozzle
having a discharge end from which fluid is dispensed; a valve stem
positioned within the fluid passageway adapted to be controllably
moved vertically up and down within the fluid passageway by an
actuator; a valve head located in the discharge end of the
discharge nozzle, wherein the valve head has a truncated cone shape
having increasing diameter axially nearer the discharge end of the
nozzle and smaller diameter axially further from the discharge end
of the nozzle, wherein the valve head has a first diameter adapted
to seal with the passageway to stop fluid flow out of the discharge
end of the nozzle when the valve stem is sufficiently vertically
upraised, and a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter,
in which a gap is provided between the second diameter and
passageway when the valve stem is sufficiently vertically lowered
to permit flow of fluid out of the discharge end of the nozzle; a
nozzle attachment releasably attached to the nozzle, and
concentrically surrounding the nozzle, wherein the nozzle
attachment including an internal gas passageway for receiving
pressurized gas and a discharge opening in fluid communication with
the gas passageway adapted to direct the pressurized gas at an
inward and downward angle relative to the discharge end of the
nozzle.
37: A method for cleaning a discharge nozzle of a fluid dispenser,
comprising: 1) providing a dispenser, including: a dispenser body
having a fluid inlet communicating with a fluid passageway, and a
discharge nozzle having a discharge end from which fluid is
dispensed; a valve stem positioned within the fluid passageway
adapted to be controllably moved vertically up and down within the
fluid passageway by an actuator; a valve head located in the
discharge end of the discharge nozzle, wherein the valve head has a
truncated cone shape having increasing diameter axially nearer the
discharge end of the nozzle and smaller diameter axially further
from the discharge end of the nozzle, wherein the valve head has a
first diameter adapted to seal with the passageway to stop fluid
flow out of the discharge end of the nozzle when the valve stem is
sufficiently vertically upraised, and a second diameter, smaller
than the first diameter, in which a gap is provided between the
second diameter and passageway when the valve stem is sufficiently
vertically lowered to permit flow of fluid out of the discharge end
of the nozzle; a nozzle attachment releasably attached to the
nozzle, and concentrically surrounding the nozzle, wherein the
nozzle attachment comprises (a) a retainer adapted to releasably
attach the nozzle attachment to a dispensing nozzle, and (b) a pair
of hollow-bodied nozzle attachment components that define, when
nested together, an intervening space operable as a gas passageway
into which pressurized gaseous fluid can be introduced and directed
to a discharge opening provided at a lower axial end of the nested
nozzle attachment components, wherein the gas passageway is adapted
to emit gas introduced into the gas passageway as a gas stream in a
direction inwardly and downwardly relative to a discharge end of
the dispensing nozzle; 2) dispensing fluid from the dispenser via
the discharge end of the nozzle; 3) removing residual fluid from
the discharge end of the nozzle by introducing pressurized air into
the gas passageway of the nozzle attachment effective to be emitted
from the discharge opening of the nozzle attachment and creates a
sufficient shearing force at the discharge end of the nozzle to
dislodge the residual fluid from the discharge end of the nozzle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a nozzle
attachment for removing residual material retained on the
dispensing nozzle of a fluid dispenser by a gas flow at a discharge
nozzle during intermittent fluid dispensing operations involving
opening and shutting off of a fluid dispenser. The gas flow creates
a shearing force at the discharge end of the nozzle that dislodges
and blows off any residual material clinging to the discharge end
after a prior dispensing operation or cycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Positive flow cut off of a filling apparatus is difficult to
achieve in sanitary valves, especially when viscous fluids are
being dispensed which have a tendency to leave tailings that cling
to the dispenser nozzle after a dispensing cycle. For example, when
running hot process cheese at 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, it is
difficult to achieve positive flow cutoff in a filling apparatus
using conventional sanitary filling valves. Upon full closure of a
dispensing valve, residual cheese tends to adhere to external valve
surfaces. This retention can lead to unacceptable variability in
weight control for the packaged cheese. In addition, the residue
can become dislodged at a later time, and possibly drip or
otherwise drop onto an underlying conveyor belt or other surfaces
where it can soil surfaces and make the processing environment less
sanitary. Removal of the drip or tailing residues from the nozzle
by mechanical or manual means is generally difficult or overly
burdensome in practice because of the increased measures that need
to be taken to avoid contamination and maintain sanitary conditions
at the dispenser nozzle.
[0003] The prior art reflects a number of different approaches to
preventing build-up of residue of dispensed material on dispenser
nozzles. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,309,958; 4,970,985; 4,350,187; 3,926,229,
and Japanese published appln. nos. all generally describe a
dispensing apparatus including means for removing tailings and the
like by which air or a gas is blown out of a hole or array of gas
passageways provided in the dispensing head itself. However, these
approaches require fundamental design changes in the dispenser head
or filling valve construction. It would be highly desirable to
solve the tailings problem in a manner which can be implemented on
existing dispensing head equipment with little modification or
retrofitting required on the dispenser head, especially with
respect to the wetted parts of the dispenser head.
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,226,565 and 5,447,254 describe nozzle
attachments or fittings for dispensers for use in nozzle cleaning
or shut-off drip protection. Both patents provide air passageways
that direct air at the discharge end of a nozzle in which the air
passageway is partly defined by dispenser head components and not
the nozzle attachment exclusively. The attachment of the nozzle
attachment and detachment requires the use of tools and the
attachment uses wetted parts of the nozzle in the blow off
operation.
[0005] A need still exists for fluid dispenser arrangements that
will ensure that residual material is cleaned off of dispenser
nozzles as part of each dispensing cycle so that the amount of food
dispensed from one filling cycle to the next does not vary, and so
that the sanitary condition of the dispenser can be better
maintained. Further, there is a need for a solution to the nozzle
clinging/dripping problem that does not require fundamental design
changes in the dispensers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention provides an improved nozzle attachment for
removing residual material from the discharge ends of dispenser
nozzles used for dispensing flowable materials. The invention also
provides a dispenser incorporating the improved nozzle attachment
and methods of their use in filling procedures. According to an
embodiment, the nozzle attachment of this invention is an assembly
of a relatively small number of discrete parts that can be readily
assembled into a unified component for installation on a nozzle,
and which also can be easily dismantled into its individual parts
for inspection and cleaning-out-of-place or manual cleaning.
Therefore, in one aspect, the nozzle attachment is conveniently
used for sanitary dispensing applications, although not limited
thereto. In one aspect, no tools are required to couple the nozzle
attachment to a nozzle nor are they needed to dismantle it for
inspection and cleaning, as the device can be assembled and
disassembled completely by hand.
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment, the nozzle attachment
provides the gaseous hydrodynamic system used to create the "blow
off" force and effect on nozzle residue, and the fluid dispenser
head is not modified to support that function other than providing
a suitable mounting surface thereon for the nozzle attachment.
Therefore, the nozzle attachment can be easily used on many
different types of fluid dispensing heads. It is preferred to
provide a nozzle attachment that can be readily attached or
detached from a nozzle to facilitate full inspection and/or
cleaning without the need for tools to disconnect or to disassemble
the nozzle attachment for cleaning. To this end, in one embodiment
a quick connect and disconnect device that is operable manually
without the need to use tools to attach and detach the nozzle
attachment to the nozzle. In one aspect, the quick connect and
disconnect device comprises a clamping retainer for clamping the
attachment to an attaching portion of the dispensing nozzle without
the use of a tool. Preferably, a split ring clamping retainer is
used and threaded members including wing nuts are manually threaded
to tighten or loosen the clamping force.
[0008] In an embodiment, the nozzle attachment includes a retainer
by which it is releasably attachable to a dispensing nozzle, and a
pair of hollow-bodied nozzle attachment components that define,
when nested together, an intervening space that serves as a gas
passageway in-between them into which pressurized gaseous fluid can
be introduced. The introduced pressurized gas flows into the gas
passageway and from there is directed to a discharge opening
thereof provided at a lower axial end of the nested nozzle
attachment components. The gas passageway present in the assembled
nozzle attachment is adapted to emit a gas stream at an inward and
downward angle relative to a discharge end of the dispensing nozzle
effective to create a shearing force at the discharge end of the
nozzle that dislodges and removes any residual material clinging to
the discharge end after a prior dispensing operation or cycle. This
ensures that residual material is cleaned off of the dispenser
nozzles as part of each dispensing cycle so that the amount of food
dispensed from one filling cycle to the next does not vary, and the
sanitary condition of the dispenser is better maintained.
[0009] The nozzle attachment of this invention is generally
applicable to dispenser nozzle arrangements used to dispense
viscous fluid materials. These viscous fluid materials include
edible materials and foods that can be processed in a flowable
state, such as process cheese, dairy cream, mayonnaise, meats,
peanut butter, and so forth. The nozzle attachment is especially
well-suited for nozzled fluid dispensers used to dispense higher
viscosity or tackier fluid food products having a greater tendency
to cling to dispensing nozzles, although it also can be used to
advantage with fluid dispensers used for other types of fluids
having those attributes. These other types of viscous materials can
include polymeric compositions, plastic compositions, hot melt
adhesives, and so forth.
[0010] In one embodiment, the nozzle attachment includes an outer
nozzle attachment component comprising a cylindrical portion having
an inner surface with an inner diameter, and a flanged surface
extending radially outward at one axial end thereof and an
inward-facing beveled surface at the other axial end thereof, and
further including an air inlet adapted to receive pressurized gas
through the cylindrical portion. It also includes an inner nozzle
attachment component including a cylindrical portion having an
outer surface with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner
diameter of the outer nozzle attachment component. The inner
attachment component has a collar extending radially outward at one
axial end thereof, and an outward-facing beveled surface at the
other axial end thereof. The inner nozzle attachment component is
adapted to be nested within the outer nozzle attachment component
by positioning of its collar on the flanged surface of the outer
nozzle attachment component. When nested, an internal upper gas
passageway is defined between the outer surface of the inner nozzle
attachment component and the inner surface of the outer nozzle
attachment component that is in communication with the gas inlet of
the outer nozzle attachment component. The nozzle attachment
includes a retainer adapted to releasably retain the outer nozzle
attachment component on the nozzle while the inner nozzle
attachment component is nested therein.
[0011] This nesting configuration of the two components also
defines a lower gas passageway having a gas discharge opening that
is defined between the outward-facing beveled surface of the inner
nozzle attachment component and the inward-facing beveled surface
of the outer nozzle attachment component. The lower gas passageway
is in fluid communication with the upper gas passageway. The lower
gas passageway is adapted by its configuration to direct
pressurized gas at an inward and downward angle at the discharge
end of the nozzle. The gas emitted by the nozzle attachment at the
discharge opening creates a shearing force at the discharge end of
the nozzle that will dislodge and remove any residual material
clinging to the discharge end after the most recent dispensing
operation. This ensures all product dispensed per dispensing cycle
gets packaged in that cycle, and that uniform amounts of food are
dispensed in each dispensing cycle. Herein, the nested components
are easily assembled or disassembled by moving the nested inner
component axially relative to the outer component. This allows
quick separation for cleaning and re-assembly after cleaning.
[0012] In another embodiment, there is a fluid dispenser for use in
intermittent dispensing operations that incorporates the nozzle
attachment described herein. The dispenser includes a dispenser
body having a fluid inlet communicating with a fluid passageway,
and the discharge nozzle having the discharge end from which fluid
is dispensed. There is a valve stem positioned within the fluid
passageway adapted to be controllably moved vertically up and down
within the fluid passageway by an actuator. A valve head is located
in the discharge end of the discharge nozzle. The nozzle attachment
is used after each dispensing cycle to eliminate residue clinging
from the discharge end of the nozzle.
[0013] In one preferred embodiment, the dispenser valve head has a
truncated cone shape having increasing diameter axially nearer the
discharge end of the nozzle and smaller diameter axially further
from the discharge end of the nozzle. The truncated-cone shaped
valve head has a first diameter adapted to seal with the discharge
passageway of the nozzle to stop fluid flow out of the discharge
end of the nozzle when the valve stem is sufficiently vertically
upraised, and a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter,
in which a gap is provided between the second diameter and inner
walls of the discharge passageway of the nozzle when the valve stem
is sufficiently vertically lowered, to permit flow of fluid out of
the discharge end of the nozzle until the valve stem is raised
again.
[0014] For purposes herein, the term "fluid" means materials in a
wet flowable condition, including liquids, slurries, emulsions,
pastes, creams, hot melts, and so forth. The term "gas" can mean
dry gases, and vapors, such as steam. The term "manual cleaning"
means total disassembly for cleaning and inspection.
"Clean-out-of-place" or "COP" means a part can be partially
dissembled and cleaned, such as in specialized COP pressure tanks.
"Clean-in-Place" or "CIP" means no disassembly or partial
disassembly is required to clean a part. "Sanitize" or "sanitary"
and the like refers to the reduction of microorganisms to levels
considered safe from a public health standpoint. "Sterilize" or
"sterile" and the like refers to the statistical destruction and
removal of all living organisms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detail description of preferred
embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid dispenser
having a nozzle attachment releasably connected to it according to
an embodiment of the invention, in which the valve head is in a
sealed/closed position.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the fluid dispenser and nozzle attachment
according of FIG. 1, in which the valve head is in an open
position.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the nozzle of the
dispenser of FIG. 1 without the nozzle attachment.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle
attachment coupled to the nozzle of the dispenser of FIG. 1, which
is taken along section A-A indicated in FIG. 5.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top view of a nozzle attachment according to an
embodiment of the invention including a top partial view of a
discharge end of a separate dispenser nozzle to which the nozzle
attachment is attached, taken along section B-B indicated in FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a nozzle attachment according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an outer nozzle
attachment component of the nozzle attachment according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an inner nozzle
attachment component of the nozzle attachment according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] The features depicted in the figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. Similarly numbered elements in different figures
represent similar components unless indicated otherwise. Elements
and dimensions in the figures are not necessarily drawn to
scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a fluid dispenser 100 having a nozzle
attachment 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. A general overview of the manner in which the
dispenser 100 functions is provided as follows. Axial movement of
the valve head 11 up or down in the vertical direction to operate
the dispenser 100 occurs in the following manner. For purposes of
the descriptions herein, references to an axial direction means
parallel to the direction of the centerline 12 of the dispenser
100, while a radial direction will be perpendicular thereto.
[0026] The valve head 11 is normally maintained in a closed
position in which it is seated against the inner walls 13 of the
discharge end 14 of the nozzle 15 in a sealing relationship. The
dimensions of the valve head 11 and inner walls 13 at the discharge
end 14 of the nozzle 15 are machined to have very close tolerances
so that an essentially gap-free seal is made between the valve head
11 and the inner walls 13 of the valve head 11, so that leakage is
minimized during nondispensing times of operation.
[0027] In this non-limiting illustration, a biasing means, such as
a return spring 16 located in an actuator 17, is used to keep the
valve head 11 normally in the closed position. The valve head 11 is
connected to the actuator 17 via a valve stem 18. The valve stem 18
can be vertically reciprocated by the actuator 17, as indicated by
the double-arrow in FIG. 1. The valve stem 18 can be releasably
attached, e.g., by threading or other mechanical connection means
19, to the actuator 17, so that the valve stem 18 can be detached
for inspection and cleaning without need to disassemble the
actuator 17.
[0028] In order to move the valve head 11 to an open position and
permit flow of fluid out of the dispenser 100, pressurized air is
introduced into a cavity 21 in the actuator 17 via a port 21 by way
of an air line 32 connected to a supply source of pressurized air
27 ("S.sub.1"). The flow or pressurized air through line 32 is
preferably controlled via valve 26 ("V.sub.1"), which is operated
by a controller 28, such as a microprocessor-based controller, via
a communication line 34. The controller 28 can be interfaced and
programmed via communication line 31. Radio frequency signal
control techniques and the like also could be used.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the pressurized air fed through line 32
is provided in sufficient force to overcome the biasing force of
the spring 16 and causes the actuator 17 to move the valve stem 18
vertically downward. This downward movement of the valve stem 18
unseats the valve head 11 as the larger diameter portion of the
valve head 11 clears the bottom of the discharge end 14 of the
nozzle 15 and a smaller diameter portion of the valve head 11 has
clearance between it and the inner walls 13 of the nozzle 15
through which fluid fed through inlet 24 and passing down through
passageway 25 defined inside the valve body 20 can then exit the
dispenser 100 through nozzle 15.
[0030] In one preferred embodiment, the valve head 11 has a
truncated cone-shaped body. The valve head 11 tapers inward in the
upward axial direction. The valve head makes a tight seal with
inner walls 13 of the nozzle 15. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the
valve stem 18 is moved downward, it pushes the valve head 11 at
least partially out of the discharge end 14 of the discharge
passageway 22. Because of the tapering external profile of the
valve head 11, a circumferential gap 37 will be created between the
exterior surface of the valve head 38 and the inner walls 13 of the
discharge passageway 22. The fluid can then flow through the gap
created and out of the discharge passageway 22 at the discharge end
14 of nozzle 15.
[0031] After a desired amount of fluid is discharged from the
dispenser 100, the valve head 11 is returned to its closed, seated
position within the nozzle 15. In this illustration, the valve 26
is closed by the controller 28 and pressurized air in line 32 can
be bled off at valve 26. Upon doing this, biasing action of the
return spring 16 pulls the valve stem 18 vertically upward until
the valve head 11 seats again in sealing relationship inside the
discharge end 14 of the nozzle 15.
[0032] In this non-limiting illustration, the fluid dispenser
involves a single seat, shut-off valve system with positive
control. It will be appreciated that the actuator 17 alternatively
could be a manual actuator as used to control up and down vertical
movement of the valve head 11. The actuator 17 itself basically can
incorporate features and functions used in such mechanisms in
conventional filling valves. The open yoke feature 23 shown in FIG.
1 is generally known in filling valves and is typically used to
reveal the valve stem position and prevent product from entering
the actuator 17. These types of pneumatic filling valves also
typically include bearings and sealing O-rings, and so forth, used
to support their actuation functionality that are generally
conventional in nature, which do not by themselves form part of
this invention, so they are not discussed in detail here to
simplify the discussion. Persons of skill will appreciate how to
employ those types of filing valve features in the context of the
present disclosure.
[0033] While the valve head 11 is in the closed position and before
initiating the next dispensing cycle, a nozzle attachment 10
according to an embodiment of the invention is employed to
eliminate any residue of dispensed fluid left clinging to the
discharge end 14 of nozzle 15. The nozzle attachment 10 is
releasably attached to the nozzle 15, preferably prior to
initiating the dispensing operation.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, in this non-limiting illustration, the
nozzle 15 is fabricated to include an integral skirt 40, i.e., a
narrow protuberance that circumscribes an outer surface area of the
nozzle 15, to which the nozzle attachment 10 can be releasably
mechanically connected. The skirt 40 is located near and axially
above the discharge end 14 of the nozzle 15. The discharge end 14
has an outer surface circumferential surface 161.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle attachment 10 is a nozzle
fitting that can be releasably coupled to the nozzle 15 via the
skirt 40. In general, the nozzle attachment 10 includes an assembly
of separate discrete parts or components that are assembled
together to form an annular-shaped fitting, which is fitted
circumferentially around and mechanically coupled in place to the
nozzle 15 with a retainer 70. The nozzle attachment 10 includes an
inner nozzle attachment component 41 that nests inside an outer
nozzle attachment component 42 in a coaxially aligned manner
defining gas passageways 43 and 44 between the outer surface 45 of
the inner nozzle attachment component 41 and the inner surface 46
of the outer nozzle attachment component 42. The inner nozzle
attachment 41 has an inner surface 409 having an inner radial
diameter 410 that is large enough to slip over and concentrically
surround the nozzle 15 at its discharge end 14 in a spaced
relationship with respect to the outer surface 161 of the discharge
end 14 of nozzle 15 where located below the skirt 40.
[0036] Pressurized gas fed into the gas passageway 440 comprised of
fluidly communicating gas passageways 43 and 44 in the nozzle
attachment 10 are emitted from a discharge opening 47 at the lower
axial end 48 of the nozzle attachment 10. This emitted gas 49 has a
trajectory making an angle .beta. (beta) with the horizontal plane
141 of the discharge end 14 of the nozzle 15. The horizontal plane
141 of the discharge end 14 extends generally perpendicular to
axial direction 12. The force associated with the stream of
pressurized gas 49 exiting the nozzle attachment 10 is effectively
used to blow food residues off the discharge end 14 of the nozzle
15 by action of shearing forces.
[0037] The retainer 70 includes an internal circumferential groove
71 that is dimensioned to conformably receive the nozzle skirt 40
under an upper protrusion 74 of the retainer 70, while concurrently
receiving a flanged portion 53 of the outer nozzle attachment
component 42 in a conforming manner above a lower protrusion 75 of
the retainer 70. The outer nozzle attachment component 42 includes
a circumferential groove 73 immediately below its flanged portion
72, which conformably receives the lower protrusion 75 of the
retainer 70.
[0038] In this non-limiting illustration, ferrules 764 and 766 are
clamped using a tightening mechanism 760 using a sealing gasket
765. As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 6, for example, the
ferrules 764 and 766 can be clamped in a bore 768 provided through
a connecting body 767 integrally associated with another wing nut
tightening mechanism 760 using sealing gasket 765.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4 again, this provides a reliable system
for feeding pressurized gas 301 into an inlet port 300 extending
through the tightening mechanism 760 that feeds into the upper
passageway 43 of the nozzle attachment 10. From there, the
pressurized gas flows into lower passageway 44 of the nozzle
attachment 10. The nozzle attachment 10 can be readily assembled
and dismantled for cleaning and inspection. One of the ferrules 764
has one of its axial ends held, such as by welding, press-fitting,
molding and so forth, in a recess provided in the outer nozzle
attachment component 42 in an essentially air-tight manner, while
the other opposite end is releasably mounted in a recess in the
wing nut tightening mechanism 760.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, the retainer 70 is preferably a quick
connect and disconnect device, e.g., a hinged tri-clamp
construction operable without the use of a tool and herein includes
threaded fasteners comprising a wing nut tightening mechanism 76.
The wing nut mechanism 76 basically is a winged threaded bolt 761
that is screwed through a threaded nut 762 and a threaded bore in a
hinge arm 763, which permits the retainer clamp 70 to be easily
tightened and loosened by hand. The retainer can also include a
turn lock in place retainer feature (not shown), e.g., about a 30
degree turn lock in place retainer feature. Other quick connection
and disconnect retention mechanisms also could be used that provide
similar or comparable functionality or result.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 6, the exploded view shows in more
clarity a retainer gasket 77 used in combination with retainer 70
as indicated in FIG. 4. The retainer gasket 77 has an inside
diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the inner nozzle
attachment component 41. The outer diameter 63 of the inner nozzle
attachment component 41 is indicated in FIG. 8. As can be seen in
FIG. 7, the outer diameter 63 of inner nozzle attachment component
41 is similar in dimension to an upper flange surface 421 on the
outer nozzle attachment component 42, upon which the inner nozzle
attachment 41 is sealingly positionable for installation on the
nozzle 15.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the outer nozzle attachment component 42
includes a cylindrical body portion 50 having an inner surface 46
with an inner diameter 52. It also has the flanged surface 53 at
one axial end 54 thereof and an inward-facing beveled surface 55 at
the other axial end 56 thereof. It also includes a gas inlet 57
adapted to receive pressurized gas through the cylindrical portion
50.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, the inner nozzle attachment component 41
includes a cylindrical body portion 61 having an outer surface 45
with an outer radial diameter 63 that is smaller than the inner
radial diameter 52 of the outer nozzle attachment component 42.
Inner nozzle attachment component 41 also has a collar 64 extending
radially outward from the cylindrical portion 61 at one axial end
65 thereof, and an outward-facing beveled surface 66 at the other
axial end 67 thereof.
[0044] For the purpose of quick connect assembly and disassembly
without the use of tools, the inner nozzle attachment component 41
is adapted to be concentrically nested within the outer nozzle
attachment component 42 by positioning of its collar 64 on the
flanged surface 53 of the outer nozzle attachment component 42. The
inner nozzle attachment component 41 has an inner radial surface
409 which is sized to slip over and concentrically surround the
outer surface 161 of the discharge end 14 of nozzle 15. The gap
size provided between the outer nozzle surface 161 is not
particularly limited as long as the gas emitted from discharge
opening 47 can be maintained at sufficient force to shear tailings
off the end of the dispenser nozzle. For example, the gap (not
shown) can be about 0.1 to about 0.2 inch, or some other positive
value.
[0045] When the inner and outer nozzle components 41 and 42 are
nested, not only is an internal upper gas passageway 43 is defined
between the axially extending side surfaces of the components that
encompasses the full circumference of the attachment 10, but also
an inwardly and downwardly angled lower gas passageway 44 is
defined between the inner and outer nozzle attachment components 41
and 42. The lower gas passageway 44 is in fluid communication with
the upper gas passageway 43, which together form a continuous
single gas passageway 440 between the gas inlet 57 and the
discharge opening 47.
[0046] As seen in FIG. 4, the beveled surface 55 of the outer
nozzle attachment component 42 and beveled surface 66 the inner
nozzle attachment component 41 define an angled intervening gas
passageway 44 when the nozzle components are nested together. As
indicated in FIG. 7, the lower beveled surface of 55 the outer
nozzle attachment component 42 preferably makes an angle .alpha.
(alpha) with the axial direction 12 of the dispenser system which
is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, and
preferably is about 125 to about 160 degrees, and more preferably
is about 135 to about 150 degrees (absolute value). As indicated in
FIG. 8, the lower beveled surface of 66 the inner nozzle attachment
component 41 preferably makes an angle .theta. (theta) with the
axial direction 12 of the dispenser system which is greater than 90
degrees and less than 180 degrees, and preferably is about 125 to
about 160 degrees, and more preferably is about 135 to about 150
degrees (absolute value). The nozzle attachment components 41 and
42 can be designed to provide absolute angle values for angles
.alpha. and .theta. that are approximately the same such that
passageway 44 has generally parallel facing walls. The angles
.alpha. and .theta. also can be different at least to the extent
the inner facing walls defining passageway 44 in the nozzle
attachment 10 do not physically converge. For example, nozzle
attachment components 41 and 42 can be designed to provide absolute
angle values for angles .alpha. and .theta. that create a
nozzle-shaped passageway such that the facing walls of passageway
44 taper down towards each other in the direction of the discharge
opening 47. Either way, this is desired so that the gas stream 49
exiting the nozzle attachment 10 has an angle of attack on the
nozzle discharge end 14 that is directed both radially inward and
axially downward. In this way, shearing force action will be
applied by the emitted gas stream 49 to any residual material
clinging to the discharge end 14 after the most recent dispensing
operation. Therefore, uniform amounts of fluid product can be
packaged in each container.
[0047] Also, the emitted gas stream 49 also will incorporate a
downward force to help clean/remove any residual material that may
curl or wrap around the outside diameter of the valve. These "blow
off" forces can be applied to residual material clinging, dripping,
drooling, curling, sticking, or otherwise remaining as a tailing on
the discharge end 14 of the nozzle 15 after a prior dispensing
procedure ensures all product dispensed per dispensing cycle gets
packaged in that cycle, and that uniform amounts of food are
dispensed in each dispensing cycle.
[0048] In one embodiment, an external supply 30 ("S.sub.2") of
sanitary or sterile gas under pressure is used to feed pressurized
gas 301 into the nozzle attachment 10. A valve 29 ("V.sub.2") can
be controlled automatically via controller 28. For example, a
microprocessor-based controller 28 can be used to synchronize the
timing of the movement of the valve head 11 in the dispenser 100
and the release of the pressurized gas 49 through the blow off
nozzle attachment in-between filling cycles. The controller 28 also
can be used to time the duration of release of pressurized gas 301
into the nozzle attachment 10. The sanitary or sterile gas that can
be used includes, for example, inert gas, heated air, nitrogen, or
steam, and so forth. It will be appreciated that the pressurized
gas 300 does not necessarily have to be sanitary or sterile gas for
all applications in which the nozzle attachment 10 can be used in
conjunction with a dispensing head or filling valve, especially in
many applications not involving foods. In one non-limiting
embodiment, about a 0.5 to 1.0 second, more particularly about a
0.6 to 0.8 second, blast of air, at about 50 to 100 psig, more
particularly about 70 to 80 psig, is emitted from the blow off
nozzle attachment 10 to provide a blow off force at the discharge
end 14 of the nozzle 15. The blow off air can be performed as a
rapid series of pulses or as a single blast for each residue
elimination procedure.
[0049] After performing the blow off procedure using nozzle
attachment 10, a weight sensing means (not shown) can be used to
measure the specific amount of fluid dispensed in the most recent
dispensing and nozzle cleaning cycle, and that information can be
transmitted to controller 28 via communication line 31. The
controller 28 can determine if the dispensed amount is within
predefined tolerances, before initiating the next dispensing
cycle.
[0050] The dispensers adapted with the nozzle attachment described
herein can be conveniently and efficiently used to fill a plurality
of containers in sequence, or otherwise dispense uniform amounts of
fluid in sequence.
[0051] As will be appreciated, while the outer and inner nozzle
attachment components 42 and 41, respectively, are illustrated in
this example as including cylindrical body portions, their body
portions are not limited to that geometry. They are hollow body
portions that can be virtually any geometric shape in
cross-section, e.g., circular, square, octagonal, and so forth, as
long as they are dimensioned with diameters meeting the
requirements of this invention and providing an adequate central
opening in the inner nozzle attachment component to permit the
valve head to be extended through it in an unobstructed manner. For
convenience sake, the inner and outer body portions generally will
be used having the same type of geometry other than the respective
radial dimensions thereof. Regular geometric shapes are preferred,
and cylindrical shapes are more preferred, although not
required.
[0052] Referring again to FIG. 8, in another embodiment, at least
one anti-build port, illustrated as port 411, is included in the
inner nozzle attachment component 41. Referring again to FIGS. 4
and 5, the gas introduced into passageway 43, which is best seen in
FIG. 4, will be diverted and flow through ports 411, 412, 413, and
414 into a gap 408 that is present between the inner surface 409 of
the inner nozzle attachment component 41 and the outer surface 161
of the discharge end 14 of nozzle 15, which is best seen in FIG. 5.
This is performed in a manner effective that a positive pressure
also is created in the gap 408, which will prevent or remove any
creep up of tailings into that gap. In one preferred embodiment,
multiple anti-build ports 411, 412, 413 and 414, which may have
radial locations as generally indicated in FIG. 5, are provided at
substantially equidistant locations around the circumference of
inner nozzle attachment component 41. For example, the four ports
411, 412, 413 and 414 can be spaced approximately 90 degrees apart
from one another around the circumference of inner nozzle
attachment component 41. The port 411 alternatively could be a
narrow slot that extends around at least a part of the
circumference of the inner nozzle attachment component 41. The air
gaps created by the anti-build ports will be sized and located in a
manner effective prevent or remove any creep up of tailings into
the gap between the inner surface 409 of the inner nozzle
attachment component 41 and the outer surface 161 of the discharge
end 14 of nozzle 15, but without causing a gas pressure loss in
primary passageways 43 and 44 between inner and outer nozzle
components 41 and 42 that would not undermine the herein-described
drip-removal function associated with those features.
[0053] The nozzle attachment of the present invention has many
advantages and benefits. The nozzle attachment can be readily
detached from a filling valve nozzle. Herein, the term filling
valve nozzle is used to be generic to the entire dispensing head
such as illustrated in FIG. 1 or to only the nozzle portion of the
filling head. It can be easily and fully dismantled to permit full
inspection and cleaning, i.e., the nozzle attachment of the present
invention will support manual cleaning operations. The inspection
is done to check for visible contamination or wear, performing
microbial swab tests, and so forth.
[0054] No tools are needed to assemble or dismantle (disassemble)
the nozzle attachment part, as this can be done fully by hand in a
"tool-less manner." All the internal surfaces and parts of the
nozzle attachment can be inspected after disassembly of the
component. The nozzle attachment also could be used in a
clean-out-of-place mode where the part is dismantled substantially
but not completely during inspection and cleaning procedures,
depending on where the cleaning and sanitary concerns are the
greatest with respect to the part. For example, it may not be
necessary to fully dismantle the wing-nut tightening parts for
cleaning procedures used in some in applications, such as some
non-food processing applications.
[0055] The nozzle attachment has no grooves, hidden surfaces, or
recesses in which food particles might be entrapped and harbored to
create a potential contamination risk. The nozzle attachment also
can be used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications in
high micro environments in connection with dispensing liquid or
otherwise flowable product into packages to eliminate oxygen from
head space and provide shelf stable products.
[0056] The nozzle attachment is particularly well-suited for food
processing operations in which flowable food is being
intermittently dispensed from a dispenser in uniform amounts.
Examples of such foods that can be processed in a flowable state,
include, for example, process cheese, dairy cream, mayonnaise,
meats (e.g., beef, pork, poultry, or combinations thereof, liquid
eggs, fruit-containing materials or beverages, peanut butter, and
so forth. In one embodiment, the nozzle attachment addresses the
weight control and dripping problem associated with prior
fluid-form food dispensers by use of a timed sanitary air blow upon
closure of a filling valve, around the entire shear surface area,
to pulse the residual fluid into a primary filled package. Gas flow
is balanced and aimed downward to disallow lateral blow off
concerns.
[0057] The nozzle attachment of this invention is sanitary dairy,
meat, or poultry 3-A compatible and meets the requirements of USDA
3-A sanitary applications. The nozzle attachment of this invention
can be used on most standard sanitary filling valves, and it can be
interchanged between filling valves of the same size. The nozzle
attachment of this invention can used in food processing
applications as a clean-out-of-place or manually cleanable part. It
has no hidden passageways, which permits full inspection and
cleaning. The nozzle attachment can be used in conjunction with the
most rapid fill and low tolerance weight operations because it does
not adversely affect the weight operation. The nozzle attachment
can be used to remove residual material adhering to the end of the
valve as well as provide gas flush capabilities for modified
atmosphere packaging ("MAP") for all the benefits gained with
reduced oxygen levels. In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle
attachment also permits the gas blow system to be directly
connected to a Clean-In-Place (CIP) system.
[0058] In one non-limiting example, a sanitary design of the nozzle
attachment can be provided by use of stainless steel for all parts
of the nozzle attachment. For example, 316L stainless steel can be
used for all parts of the nozzle attachment. Alternatively, the
various nozzle attachment parts also can be made of other suitable
materials that can be shaped into the applicable configurations,
such as plastic materials, ceramic materials, and so forth, and, if
desired or necessary, which can be maintained in a sanitary
condition. The same or different types of such materials can be
used for the various parts of a given nozzle attachment.
[0059] In addition, the wetted parts of the dispenser, including,
for example, the valve stem, valve head, and valve body, also can
be made out of 316 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel could be
used for the yoke, actuator cylinder, and other non-wetted parts of
the fluid dispenser, although the filling valve construction is not
limited thereto. For example, the valve head, and so forth,
alternatively could be a fluoropolymer construction, or a
fluoropolymer-coated metal construction, or other material that is
essentially inert and stable in the filling environment. The valve
head also could include a fluoropolymeric or EPDM sealing ring, and
the like, retained in an integral circumferential groove to provide
the valve seat.
[0060] It will be understood that the teachings of the present
invention are readily adaptable to many types of fluid dispensers
that intermittently dispense liquids other than those specifically
shown or identified herein. For example, the nozzle attachment
could be used with nozzled dispensers used for other types of
flowable viscous materials, such as molten polymeric compositions,
plastic compositions, hot melt adhesives, and so forth.
[0061] While the invention has been particularly described with
specific reference to particular process and product embodiments,
it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and
adaptions may be based on the present disclosure, and are intended
to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *